McGurk confirms $2.8bn desal plant proponent

The state has confirmed a consortium of Spanish firm ACCIONA and engineering company Jacobs Group have been selected to design, build and operate the $2.8 billion Alkimos desalination plant.

Business News revealed on Wednesday that the Acciona-led consortium had been advised it was the preferred proponent for the work, beating a rival bid from CPB Contractors.

The preference was officially announced this morning, with ACCIONA Agua and Jacobs to form an alliance known as the Northern Water Partnership ahead of construction beginning mid next year. An alliance contract is expected to be signed in March 2024.

“The Alkimos Seawater Desalination Plant and associated projects are a significant investment in the future water security for millions of people across Perth and regional areas,” Water Minister Simone McGurk said.

 “With siteworks well underway, and now the announcement of the preferred proponent, we’re on track for construction to begin mid-2024.  

“Western Australia was the first state to introduce large scale desalination, and this is a key milestone in the delivery of our next climate-resilient water source.”

Work to prepare the future desalination plant site for construction began last month.

Once constructed the plant will be Perth’s third, joining existing facilities at Kwinana and Binningup.